Platform for cloth-laying machines

ABSTRACT

A selectively operable platform interconnected to a cloth-laying machine carriage and the cloth-laying table upon which it is supported for reciprocation with the former and with respect to the latter, whereby an operator may stand upon the upper surface of said platform to manipulate controls upon said carriage during movement. The platform is supported upon wheels in direct contact with a supporting floor and has separate wheels engaging a guiding track upon the side of the table. Interconnection with the carriage is by a collapsible self-storing bar which is operative position is angled at approximately 45* with respect to the horizontal. In inoperative position, the bar is stored within a recess in the platform, and a major portion of the platform may be rotated about a horizontal axis to be latched in a vertical orientation to means on a side of said table, whereby it may be out of the way when not required. Bumper means is provided on each end of the platform which telescopes on contact with an object lying in the path of travel of the platform, this motion being utilized to open a circuit providing power to the carriage, whereby the interconnected carriage and platform are immediately stopped.

United States Patent [151 3,638,574

Paterson 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] PLATFORM FOR CLOTH-LAYING MACHINES Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman AttrneyCharles T. Temko [72] Inventor: Stephen Paterson, Forest Hills, NY. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Asmgnee: g i g Apphances Corp" New A selectively operable platform interconnected to a cloth-layor ing machine carriage and the cloth-laying table upon which it [22] Filed: May 27, 1970 is supported for reciprocation with the former and with respect to the latter, whereby an operator may stand upon the [2H Appl' 40765 upper surface of said platform to manipulate controls upon said carriage during movement. The platform is supported [52] s CL n 104/1 104/149 104/172 BT upon wheels in direct contact with a supporting floor and has 270/31 separate wheels engaging a guiding track upon the side of the I5] I Int. (II ..B65h 29/00 Interconnection with carriag? is by a collapsibic Self 5x Field M Search ..270/3o, 31; 104/149, 176, 172 BT, Storing bar which is Operative P is angled at app o 213/224; 105/462 mately 45 w1th respect to the horlzontal. ln lnoperative position, the bar is stored within a recess in the platform, and a [56 1 References Cited major portion of the platform may be rotated about a horizontal axis to be latched in a vertical orientation to means on a UNITED STATES PATENTS side of said table, whereby it may be out of the way when not required. Bumper means is provided on each end of the plat- 2,S9g,;;2 llgatbz form which telescopes on t t ith an object lying in the 'l 10/1967 f at a 72 path of travel of the platform, this motion being utilized to Ya t at a I I open a circuit providing power to the carriage, whereby the in terconnected carriage and platform are immediately stopped.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures /i O O 3 E 5l- 2f 36 /X he; v 1 i If 0&

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l //06 E i cissasm PATENTED FEB 1 m2 MTENTEU FEB I Skim 2 05" 3 PLATFORM FOR CLOTH-LAYING MACHINES This invention relates generally to the field of cloth-laying machines and more particularly to an improved platform for carrying the operator in standing position to be moved in parallel relation with respect to the cloth machine carriage, so that the operator may observe the cloth-laying operation, and control movement of the carriage while standing on the platform, as distinguished from walking alongside the machine. Devices of this general type are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details.

In most of the prior art devices, the platform has been carried by the carriage, or supported from the side of the clothlaying table. This construction requires a table and carriage of great strength, in order that the weight of the operator does not tilt the carriage and/or distant the table. The need for such platforms exists, however, in cloth-laying machines of relatively lighter weight construction, as does the need for provision of such structure on relatively lightweight machines already existing and in use.

It is, therefore, among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved platform construction-for use in conjunction with cloth-laying machines which will be supported directly from the floor of a workroom insofar as necessary vertical thrust is concerned, thereby avoiding placing any stresses upon either the carriage or the table.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved platfonn construction for use in conjunction with cloth-laying machines, in which the table may support a guiding means transmitting only forces in a horizontal plane, whereby the platform may accurately follow the line of movement of the carriage.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved platform construction for use in conjunction with cloth-laying machines in which motion of the carriage in either direction along the principal axis of the table may be transmitted thereto in a vertical plane parallel with the principal axis of movement of the carriage.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved platform construction for cloth-laying machines, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

- A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that a major part of the platform may be disconnected from the carriage element, when its use is not required, following which the linkage means interconnecting the platform to the carriage may be telescoped and stored within the platform itself.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the platform upon which the operator stands may, when not in use, be pivoted about a horizontal axis, and latched in position along the side of the table, so that it will not be encountered by a worker walking along the table, and not standing upon the platform.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the attended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the platform element, showing its interconnection with the side of the cloth-laying table.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the platform element, partly broken away to show detail.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, showing the interconnection oflinkage means with a cloth-laying table.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen from the plane 5-5 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged bottom plan view of the platform element, showing the details of safety switch means associated with collapsable bumper means on either end of the platform element.

Briefly, stated, the invention lies in the provision of a platform element having wheeled means on undersurface thereof which directly contacts the supporting floor upon which the cloth-laying table is positioned. The platform is interconnected to the carriage element of the cloth-laying machine by an elongated link having pivotal means at either end, and normally disposed at approximately a 45 angle with respect to the floor. This angle permits tension and compression to be transmitted therethrough without any substantial tendency to raise the carriage during compression, or tilt the carriage during tension. When not required, the linkage means may be disconnected by means of removable pins, and linkage means stored within the platform element so as to be out of the way.

A part of the platform, may then be tilted about a horizontal axis to be latched to the side of the cloth-laying table, and the out of the way of an operator whose use of the cloth-laying table does not require the platform. The platform is provided with bumper means on both of two end surfaces which telescope upon striking an object lying in the path of travel of the platform, to result in opening the electrical circuit powering the carriage element.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is illustrated in operative association with a conventional cloth-laying carriage ll supported for reciprocation over a cloth-laying table 12.

The carriage 11 may be of entirely conventional type, including a pair of end frames, one of which is indicated by reference character 13, and having a manual control panel 14 accessible to an operator travelling with the carriage along the table. Means 15 is provided for supporting a roll of cloth (not shown) from which a web emanates to pass through a cloth dispensing means 16 for deposition upon the upper surface of the cloth-laying table. Wheel means 17 extends from the lower surface of the carriage, one set of which may engage a track 18 which guides the carriage in rectilinear movement, between the ends of the table. As this structure is very well known in the art, it need not be further considered herein.

Likewise, the cloth-laying table 12 is of known construction, including a plurality of vertical supports or legs 20, the lower ends 21 of which are in contact with a floor 22, and the upper ends 23 of which support the undersurface 24 ofa table top 25, whereby the web of cloth may be deposited upon the upper surface 26 thereof.

The device 10 comprises broadly a platform element 30, horizontal guide means 31, motion-transmitting means 32, and safety bumper means 33.

Referring to FIG. 2 in the drawings, the platform element 30 includes an elongated truck member 37 partially supporting a pivotally connected platform member 38.

The truck member 37 is preferably formed as a lightweight aluminum casting, forming a first end 40 and a second end 41. It is bounded by an inner side surface 42, and an outer surface 43, an upper surface 44, and a lower surface 45. The first end 40 includes first and second trunnions 46 and 47, respectively, the turn ends supporting a shaft 48 in bearings, one of which is indicated by reference character 49. Longitudinal aligned bores 50 and 51, support correspondingly aligned pintles 52 and 53 which provide for pivotal interconnection with the platform member 38. An interstice between the trunnions 46-47 leads to an elongated recess 55 extending downwardly from the upper surface 44 commencing at a point 56 and extending toward point 57, this recess accommodating the modon-transmitting means 32 when not in use.

On the lower surface 45 are brackets 58 supporting wheels 59 for rotation about axis perpendicular to the normal path of movement of the platform member.

A horizontal guide means 31 serves to exert a horizontal transverse guiding force upon the platform element to that it tends to follow the edge of the table l2. It includes elongated track 60 (see FIG. 3) of length corresponding to that of the table, 12, to which it is secured. ln cross section, it includes a lower planar wall 61, a planar sidewall 62, penetrated at intervals by bolt means 63 interconnecting the same to a table leg 20, and an upper curved wall 64. The track number 37 includes a pair of laterally extending pintles 65 having guide wheels 66 thereon, which ride upon the upper surface 67 of the lower wall 61. The laterally guiding function is obtained by engagement with the upper wall 64.

The platform member 38 is also preferrable formed as a casting, and includes an upper wall 70, an outer peripheral wall 71, and an inner peripheral wall 72. First and second extensions 73 and 74, respectively, are provided with longitudinal bores 75 engaging the pintles 52. The undersurface 76 of the upper wall 70 mounts brackets 77 for wheels 78 of somewhat greater diameter than that of the wheels 59. A latch member 79 is mounted on a shaft 80 penetrating the wall 70, and is provided in an opposite end thereof with a knob 81 to permit the same to be manipulated.

The motion transmitting means 32 includes a telescoping shaft element 86 comprising an upper or outer member 87, and a lower or inner member 88. Referring to FIG. 4, the portion 89 of an end frame 13 includes a bore 90 penetrated by a short shaft 91, and retained in position by washers 92 and snaprings 93. The outer end 94 of the shaft 91 is provided with a transversely extending bore 95 penetrated by a quickdetachable pin 91. The upper end 97 of the upper member 87, includes corresponding transverse openings 98 and transverse slots 99 disposed at 90 with respect to the openings 98 to permit rapid attachment to the shaft 91 for pivotal movement as required. A second quick detachable pin 100 interconnects the upper end 101 of the lower member 88 with the lower end 102 of the upper member 87. The lower end of the lower member 88 is provided with an enlargement 103 engaging the shaft 48.

From a consideration of P10. 1, it will be apparent that the motion-transmitting means 32 will transmit either compression or tension, depending upon the direction of movement of the carriage element, this force having a horizontal component which results in movement of the platform corresponding to that of the carriage.

The safety bumper means 33 is provided to prevent injury or damage to any object lying in the path of travel of the platform during reciprocation of the carriage element. It includes first and second bumper elements 106 and 107, respectively, each including a bumper member 108 mounted on the outer end of the elongated shaft 109. The inner ends 110 pass through bearings 111 in a bracket 113, each being provided with a sloping surface 1 14. Spring detent means (not shown) is provided to keep the shafts 109 in extended condition. However, upon meeting any object, the spring detents are overcome, allowing the surfaces 114 to contact rollers 115 mounted on the actuating arms of normally closed switches 1 17 and 118 which are interconnected in serieswith the electrical circuit powering the carriage element.

To place the carriage element in operative position, it is necessary only to detach the quick detachable pins 96 and 100, and telescope the upper member 87 over lower member 88, following which the element 28 is rotated about the axis of the shaft 48 until it enters the elongated recess 55. Next, the platform member 38 may be pivoted about the pintles 52 to a vertical position, at which point the latch member 79 is engaged with a rail 119 on the table 12. The carriage element may then be operated independently of the platform element in normal manner.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. Improved platform construction for use in conjunction with a cloth-laying machine carriage supported for reciprocation upon a cloth-laying table comprising: a platform element having an upper surface for supporting an operator, wheeled means on a lower surface thereof for engaging a supporting floor independently of said table, track means on a side of said table, corresponding means on said platform element slidably engaging said track means for guiding movement of said platform in a substantially horizontal plane, elongated linkage means pivotally interconnected to a point on said carriage and a point on said platform element for the transmission of tension and compression therebetween; said platform element including a wheeled elongated truck member supporting said means engaging said track member, and a generally planar platform member pivotally interconnected to said truck member for movement between horizontal and vertical positions.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including latching means on said platform member for fixing said platform member in a vertical position relative to said table.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said table having a horizontally positioned rail thereon, said latching means being selectively engageable at points along said rail.

4. Structure in accordance with claim 3, said elongated linkage means being selectively detachable with respect to said point on said carriage, and being self-storing in such condition within said platform element. 

1. Improved platform construction for use in conjunction with a cloth-laying machine carriage supported for reciprocation upon a cloth-laying table comprising: a platform element having an upper surface for supporting an operator, wheeled means on a lower surface thereof for engaging a supporting floor independently of said table, track means on a side of said table, corresponding means on said platform element slidably engaging said track means for guiding movement of said platform in a substantially horizontal plane, elongated linkage means pivotally interconnected to a point on said carriage and a point on said platform element for the transmission of tension and compression therebetween; said platform element including a wheeled elongated truck member supporting said means engaging said track member, and a generally planar platform member pivotally interconnected to said truck member for movement between horizontal and vertical positions.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including latching means on said platform member for fixing said platform member in a vertical position relative to said table.
 3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said table having a horizontally positioned rail thereon, said latching means being selectively engageable at points along said rail.
 4. Structure in accordance with claim 3, said elongated linkage means being selectively detachable with respect to said point on said carriage, and being self-storing in such condition within said platform element. 